Clinical questions often arise suddenly and at odd hours during the in
trapartum period. Many questions can be answered immediately by making
use of readily available diagnostic ultrasonography. The verification
of fetal life, fetal number and fetal presentation, amniotic fluid as
sessment and determination of placental location are important in mate
rnal-fetal care. Sonographic skills facilitate the performance of cert
ain procedures, including external version of the breech fetus, intrap
artum twin management and amniocentesis for lung-maturity testing or c
ulture in cases of suspected chorioam-nionitis. Sonography can be help
ful in the evaluation of possible placental abruption, but management
of this condition remains clinical and should not be affected by a neg
ative sonographic scan.